2025: Trump University on Acid

Donald J. Trump has released his plan for a second presidential term, a vengeful roadmap to an authoritarian America. One element seems familiar: a university.

You may remember that, a week after winning the White House in 2016, President-elect Trump agreed to a $25 million settlement over his fraudulent “Trump University.” That unaccredited “university” was a bait-and-switch scheme, offering free courses that were sales pitches for $1,000 courses, which were in turn sales pitches for $10,000 and $35,000 courses. Basically, he stole the business model of the Church of Scientology.

This time around, Mr. Trump wants to use taxpayer dollars to fund a tuition-free online “university” called the American Academy to replace the pricey instutions he claims are turning our country’s youth into communists and jihadists. The curriculum and faculty would need to pass MAGA purity tests, of course. Except for the “free online” part, that sounds like a ripoff of the Ron DeSantis higher education playbook.

Donald Trump’s evangelical pals at Liberty University can’t be too pleased with this free online American Academy. Liberty U has more than 115,000 paying online students, ten times their on-campus enrollment.

More:

“Donald Trump Wants the Government to Fund Another Trump University,” Caleb Ecarma, Vanity Fair

“A Free, Online ational University Is Trump’s Latest Higher-Ed Idea. Here’s What Experts Think.” Eric Kelderman, The Chronicle of Higher Education

“Here’s What Donald Trump Plans to Teach at His New Free University,” Matthew Impelli, Newsweek

“Donald Trump Vows To Start Online University… Because Trump U. Worked So Well?” Ron Dicker, Huffpost

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Donald Trump: Gold-Plated Fraud

Following December’s criminal convictions of The Trump Organization for tax fraud and falsifying business records, a New York State civil court judge has found Donald Trump’s personal business guilty of business fraud, using wildly inflated property valuations to obtain larger bank loans. Judge Arthur Engoron agreed with the prosecution claim that Mr. Trump overstated his wealth to lenders and insurers by as much as $3.6 billion.

The Trump Organization, an amalgam of Trump family real estate, hotel, and golf course holdings, had its licencing revoked, and its New York State assets will be administered (and possibly liquidated) under receivership. They include 40 Wall Street, an estate in Westchester County, Trump Tower, Trump Park Avenue, and a Westchester golf club. Donald Trump can no longer pretend to be a legitimate businessman, except perhaps on televison (fun fact: he is a former SAG-AFTRA member).

Trump businesses are due to go on trial for further charges of civil fraud again on Monday. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking a $250 million judgment on one of those claims.

More:

“Judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks and insurers while building real estate empire,” Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press

“Why a fraud finding is like ‘corporate death penalty’ for Trump,” Zachary B. Wolf, CNN

“Trump’s Habit of Lying About Everything All the Time May Cost Him Trump Tower,” Bess Levin, Vanity Fair

“Trump’s Absurd Property Valuations Confirm His Disregard for Reality,” Jacob Sullum, Reason

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Inmate Number P01135809

Inmate number P01135809, Donald “Pouty Boy” Trump, visited Atlanta’s historic Fulton County Jail on Rice Street for Class Picture Day last Thursday. He wasn’t happy about it. Nevertheless, he immediately started selling merch with the photo on it, tee shirts, beer coozies, even a mug (get it?). They’re all captioned with the phrase “No Surrender,” but that’s exactly what the ex-president did, surrender to the authorities at the jail. He just can’t resist an opportunity to twist the truth.

All Mr. Trump’s fellow alleged racketeers had similar photo shoots. So where are the RICO trading cards?

 More:

“What to know about Trump’s mug shot,” Kierra Frazier, Politico

“One image, one face, one American moment: The Donald Trump mug shot,” Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press

“The mug shot seen round the world: Donald Trump’s forever photo,” Karen Heller, Washington Post

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Fundraiser for Liar George Santos Also Arrested for Fraud

Sam Miele, former fundraiser for indicted serial liar and Republican Congressman George Santos (AKA Anthony Zabrovsky, Anthony Devolder, George Devolder and Kitara Ravache), was himself indicted on federal charges of impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while soliciting contributions for the Santos campaign. Prosecutors said Mr. Miele sent “fraudulent fundraising solicitations” to more than a dozen prospective donors between August and December of 2021, signing the emails with the name and title of Dan Meyer, chief of staff to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was then minority leader.

The case seems to overlap with the case against Mr. Miele’s client. Rep. George Santos is charged with 13 counts of fraud and financial crimes.

More:

“A former fundraiser for Rep. George Santos has been charged with wire fraud and identity theft,” Jake  Offenhartz, Associated Press

“Aide for Rep. George Santos accused of defrauding donors,” Shayna Jacobs, Washington Post

“Santos Aide Who Impersonated McCarthy Staff Member Faces Federal Charges,” Michael Gold and Grace Ashford, New York Times

Update:

George Santos says ex-fundraiser caught using a fake name tried a new tactic: spelling it backwards,” Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press

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Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com. Download a copy here. Note: Politifact has only fact-checked George Santo’s statements once. Maybe the flood of falsehoods is too overwhelming. Or too obvious.

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Clarence Thomas: Graft on Wheels?

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas claims that, when he’s not hobnobbimg with billionaires at Bohemian Grove or getting free cruises on mega-yachts, or vacationing at luxury resorts, he loves hanging out with the common folk:

“I prefer the RV parks. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. There’s something normal to me about it. I come from regular stock, and I prefer that—I prefer being around that.”

Of couse that quote is from a “documentary” funded by Thomas sugar daddy, billionaire Harlan Crow. So how does Mr. Thomas hang with the Hoi Polloi? In a Land Yacht of his own, a lightly-used $267,230 luxury motor coach, a 40-foot long Prevost Le Mirage XL Marathon.  But as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas makes a measly $230,000 a year, so he got the RV with a little help from his friends. In this case the friend was a mere multi-millionaire, health insurance executive Anthony Welters.

So Mr. Welters financed the purchase of the huge motor home for Mr. Thomas. What were the terms? Was it paid in full? Was it forgiven, i.e. a gift? We don’t don’t know. That’s between friends.

More:

“Clarence Thomas’s $267,230 R.V. and the Friend Who Financed It,” Jo Becker and Julie Tate, New York Times

Related:

“List of Free Stuff Clarence Thomas Has Gotten Gets Even Longer,” Corbin Bolies, Daily Beast

“A Quick Guide to Justice Clarence Thomas’s Ethics Scandals,” Chas Danner, New York Magazine

“Where Clarence Thomas Entered an Elite Circle and Opened a Door to the Court,” Abbie VanSickle and Steve Eder, New York Times

“Alito and Thomas Write Opinion Declaring That Yachts Are People,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

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Palm Beach Dress Code: Orthopedic Golf Shoes & Ankle Monitors

Elderly Palm Beach resident, celebrity golf cheat, serial adulterer, Saudi blood-money sponge, and twice-impeached former US President Donald Trump has been indicted on 37 felony counts by a federal grand jury. He is accused of criminal offenses including Unauthorized Retention of National Defense Information under the Espionage Act, Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice, Tampering with Grand Jury Evidence, Making False Statements, and Concealing Evidence in a Federal Investigation in the bathroom, supply room, and ballroom at Mar-a-Lago. Trump co-conspirator and Diet Coke waiter Walt Nauta has also been charged.

The elderly Florida Man will appear before a federal judge in Miami tomorrow at 3 PM for arraignment.

More:

“Trump indictment details national defense documents he kept at club,” Michael Macagnone, Roll Call

“Bathroom Reading at Mar-a-Lago,” Maureen Dowd, New York Times

“Trump Indictment: The Craziest Details,” Margaret Hartmann, New York Magazine

“As Bad As It Gets: Trump Led Comically Corrupt Attempt To Keep And Hide Classified Info,” Josh Kovensky, TalkingPointsMemo

“The Trump Classified Documents Indictment, Annotated,” Charlie Savage, New York Times

“Who is Waltine Nauta, the 2nd person named in Trump’s federal indictment?” Matt Cudahy, WDSU-TV News

Related:

“D.O.J. Has Been Weaponized Against Me, Says El Chapo,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

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Florida Hobbyist Charged Over Document Collection

An elderly Palm Beach County man has been charged over his collection of federal documents, some of them classified. In general, collections of stamps or baseball cards present lower risks of imprisonment.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment today. The senior citizen has been summoned to appear before a federal judge in Miami at 3 PM on Tuesday.

Updates:

“Trump charged over classified documents in 1st federal indictment of an ex-president,” Eric Tucker, and Michael Balsamo, Associated Press

“Trump expected to surrender to Miami authorities on Tuesday after indictment,” Joan E. Greve, The Guardian

“Why No Amount of Evidence Will Make Republicans Admit Trump’s Guilt,” Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine

“Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, initially assigned to oversee his case: Sources,” Katherine Faulders, Alexander Mallin, and Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News

“The charges mount, but Trump’s not worried. He’s just the guy to make jail great again,” Marina Hyde, The Guardian

“Even after an indictment on federal charges, ‘persecuted’ Donald Trump could win again,” Jeff MacLeod, The Conversation

More:

“Trump indicted on seven criminal counts in classified documents case,” Dan Mangan and Riya Bhattacharjee, CNBC

“Trump charged in Mar-a-Lago classified documents investigation,” Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein and Josh Dawsey, Washington Post

“Trump says he’s been indicted in classified documents probe,” Brett Samuels, The Hill

“Trump documents case: A timeline of the investigation and charges,” Jacqueline Thomsen, Reuters

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Trump Played Hide-the-Docs at Mar-a-Lago

Remember those cartons of federal documents that the defeated Donald Trump stole when he slunk out of the White House back in January 2021? Turns out he actively tried to hide them from the FBI.

It now appears two of  Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago employees moved document boxes the day before an early June visit by FBI agents and a prosecutor. Even before recieving a subpoena in May, they had a “dress rehearsal” for moving sensitive papers.

Legal experts think this can be seen as clear evidence of Donald Trump’s criminal intent to defraud the government and retain illegal possession of government documents. Ya Think?

More:

“Trump workers moved Mar-a-Lago boxes a day before FBI came for documents,” Devlin Barrett, Josh Dawsey, Spencer S. Hsu and Perry Stein, Washington Post

Update:

“Trump captured on tape talking about classified document he kept after leaving the White House,” Katelyn Polantz, Paula Reid and Kaitlan Collins, CNN

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Liar George Santos Arrested on Federal Criminal Charges

Serial liar and Republican Congressman George Santos (AKA Anthony Zabrovsky, Anthony Devolder, George Devolder and Kitara Ravache) of New York’s 3th District was indicted by a Federal grand jury Tuesday on multiple federal counts of money laundering, stealing public money, wire fraud and making false statements to Congress in his House financial disclodures. He was arrested Wednesday, and arraigned at the Eastern District Federal Courthouse in Central Islip, NY. Mr. Santos pleaded not guilty, and was  set loose on a helpless public while awaiting trial. His $500,000 bond was secured by three unnamed individuals. His next court date is June 30. George Santos remains in Congress until his inevitable conviction.

The indictment charges that Mr. Santos solicited campaign donations, then used the funds for personal expenses, including luxury designer clothes and paying off his credit cards and and car payments. He also obtained unemployment benefits fraudulently.

Previously, George Santos lied about his: high school, college, ever going to college, volleyball prowess, grad school, religion, race, family history, work history, finances, owning 13 real estate properties, knee replacements, his yacht brokerage, appearing on Hanna Montana, developing carbon capture technology, film acting, losing employees in the Pulse nightclub shooting, getting mugged, being a drag queen, having a brain tumor, running a pet rescue charity, past marital status, getting COVID, and his own mother’s death.

His newest fib: he’s innocent and the trial is a ‘witch hunt.”

More:

“Rep. George Santos charged with 13 counts of fraud, financial crimes,” Devlin Barrett, Isaac Stanley-Becker, Shayna Jacobs, and Perry Stein, Washington Post

“George Santos charged with fraud, including stealing from campaign to buy designer clothes,” Jake Offenhartz and Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press

“Congressman George Santos Charged with Fraud, Money Laundering, Theft of Public Funds, and False Statements,” Press Release, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York

“Read the George Santos Indictment,” New York Times

“George Santos, Facing Felony Charges, Campaigned on Ensuring Criminals Do Time,” Rebecca Cohen, Business Insider

“George Santos Claims Arraignment Conflicts with His Role in N.B.A. Playoffs,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

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Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com. Download a copy here. Note: Politifact hasn’t yet fact-checked George Santo’s statements. Maybe it’s too overwhelming.

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Clarence Thomas Family Value$

As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas makes a measly $230,000 a year, so naturally he needs all the financial help he can get. And he gets lots of it, chiefly from his billionaire pal Harlan Crow, friend of the Court and renowned collector of Nazi memorabilia. A true believer in family values, Mr. Crow:

Paid the $120,000 salary of Mrs. Ginni Thomas and propped up her far-right Liberty Central lobby;

Paid Justice Thomas for his elderly mother’s house, fixed it up, and allowed her to live there rent-free; and

Paid the private school tuition of Mr. Thomas’s legal ward, his grandnephew Mark Martin.

Justice Thomas didn’t disclose any of this to the Court in his required annual financial disclosure reports. He also didn’t reveal his trips on Harlan Crow’s private jet or megayacht or their luxury vacation excursions.

Most of these issues were uncovered bythe non-profit ProPublica newsroom and the New York Times.

More:

“A brief timeline of Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow and ethics questions,” Aaron Blake, Washington Post

“Billionaire Offered Tuition to Send Ginni Thomas to Law School for Second Time,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

Related:

“Clarence Thomas has for years claimed income from a defunct real estate firm,” Shawn Boburg and Emma Brown, Washington Post

“More ethics questions rise for Supreme Court justices,” Sareen Habeshian, Axios

“Judicial activist directed fees to Clarence Thomas’s wife, urged ‘no mention of Ginni,’” Emma Brown, Shawn Boburg and Jonathan O’Connell, Washington Post

The real reason for the Supreme Court’s corruption crisis,” Ian Millhiser, Vox

Updates:

“CREW files civil and criminal complaint against Clarence Thomas,” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) [Read the complaint]

“Clarence Thomas Promises To Adopt Code Of Ethics For The Right Price,” The Onion

“Thomas’ Monsanto years offer window into justice’s enviro roots,” Pamela King, E&E News

“The strange story of Clarence and Ginni Thomas,” Lauren Mechling, The Guardian

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